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Description

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About this course: Welcome to Course THREE! In the first two Modules you will gain a more professional-level understanding of the Design Elements that artists have used throughout history to create successful compositions. Arranging the Elements in ways that lead viewers through their compositions is an essential craft for photographers no matter whether their subject matter is pure documentary or vividly exotic personal expression. In Modules 3 & 4 we survey the essential elements of post-photography image management, using Adobe(tm) LIGHTROOM(tm). Image adjustment software designed for Smartphone photographers rounds out the Course. Since even photographers whose mainstay is a high-en…

Frequently asked questions

When you enroll for courses through Coursera you get to choose
for a paid plan or for a free
plan .

Free plan: No certicification and/or audit
only. You will have access to all course materials except
graded items.

Paid plan: Commit to earning
a Certificate—it's a trusted, shareable way to showcase your new
skills.

About this course: Welcome to Course THREE!
In the first two Modules you will gain a more professional-level
understanding of the Design Elements that artists have used
throughout history to create successful compositions. Arranging the
Elements in ways that lead viewers through their compositions is an
essential craft for photographers no matter whether their subject
matter is pure documentary or vividly exotic personal expression.
In Modules 3 & 4 we survey the essential elements of
post-photography image management, using Adobe(tm) LIGHTROOM(tm).
Image adjustment software designed for Smartphone photographers
rounds out the Course. Since even photographers whose mainstay is a
high-end DSLR also must admit to Smartphone use occasionally, and
photographers who only use a Smartphone will usually admit that
they want to step over to a "regular" camera at some point, there
is something for everyone here! Let's get started with Module
One!

Created by: Michigan State University

Taught
by: Peter Glendinning, Professor

Art, Art History, & Design

Taught
by: Mark Valentine Sullivan, Associate
Professor

Music / Innovation Hub

Basic Info Course 3 of 5 in the Photography Basics and Beyond: From
Smartphone to DSLR Specialization Commitment 4 weeks of study, 2-3
hours/week Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments
to complete the course. User Ratings 4.6 stars Average User Rating
4.6See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an
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projects.

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Michigan State University Michigan State University has been
advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 150
years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU
pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships
to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing
life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic
community through more than 200 programs of study in 17
degree-granting colleges.

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Elements of Design: Building Blocks of Composition

A writer must understand what nouns, adjectives, adverbs, and other
word forms are, before putting them together in sentences that make
sense to a reader. Similarly, an artist must understand the
essential elements of design that must be put together to create a
composition that will "make sense" to a viewer of their artwork. In
this first module you will learn about the Elements of Design so
you can understand their functions and use them effectively to
guide your viewers to the content you wish to be conveyed by your
photographs, whether it be creative, or documentary, regardless of
the subject matter.

Most successful photographs are the result of impactful content,
control of exposure and focus, and well designed composition. When
you finish the courses and lessons in this Module, you will have
the understanding of fundamental principles in those essential
areas to begin creating expressions you can be proud of. From the
knowledge you gained in Module 1, you can now identify Design
Elements that are most significant to you and your content. In this
Module, you will learn fundamental principles of organization of
those Elements through the purposeful communication that comes from
Composition.

In this Module you will learn the fundamental elements of
"post-production workflow," for image files created with a digital
camera. We will cover the fundamental aspects of the widely
accepted software tool Lightroom™. Whether you are using a
point-and-shoot, mirrorless, compact, or DSLR camera, the resulting
pictures are of limited value unless they are organized and edited
beyond the camera in a computer-based environment. You will begin
learning the "best practices" involved in using the most widely
accepted software platforms, and have a foundation from which you
can begin the journey of growth in skills in future efforts and
studies of "post-production."

Whether you are an iPhone, Galaxy, or other SmartPhone user, you
know you have an exciting device to use as a camera, but you
probably feel that you are not using all of its potential. You will
learn how the addition of solid Photo "APPs" can extend the
capability of your device, turning it into a powerful photo-editing
computer as well as a more sophisticated camera.